99 Egyptian presidential candidates

In Egypt, registration of candidates to participate in the presidential elections on September 7 ended yesterday. For the first time they will be held on an alternative basis. 99 independent candidates are vying for the post of head of state, including the first woman, Ashgan al-Bukhari, a lawyer and mother of three children. Among the contenders are representatives of 14 parties, including the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). The current president, 77-year-old Hosni Mubarak, is running for a fifth six-year term. The leaders of the leading opposition People's Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Socialist Arab Party of Egypt, Al-Takaful (Solidarity) and Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) parties are registered. Abboud al-Zumr, convicted of participating in the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat, was denied registration, not for a criminal act, but for incorrectly executed documents. Candidates must secure the support of at least 250 deputies of parliament and local legislative assemblies by August 17, the start date of the election campaign. In parliament, 388 of the 444 seats belong to representatives of the NDP. This will be the first direct presidential election in Egypt. Previously, the head of state was determined by a parliamentary majority.

Alexey SLOBODIN